Kashmir has been the dream honeymoon destination for Indian couples for generations. Here is our tried-and-tested 7-day romantic itinerary, refined through hundreds of happy couples.
Kashmir and romance are inseparable. Mughal emperors brought their queens here. Bollywood has filmed its most iconic love stories in these valleys. And for generations of Indian couples, a Kashmir honeymoon has been the dream — the most beautiful, most special beginning to a life together.
Day 1 — Arrive in Srinagar: Your Houseboat Awaits
Arrive at Srinagar Airport and be met by your personal guide. Drive directly to Dal Lake and check in to your houseboat suite — traditionally decorated with carved walnut panels, fresh flowers, and every romantic touch you can imagine. Your first evening: a private two-hour Shikara ride through the backwaters as the sun sets over the Zabarwan Mountains, turning the lake into liquid gold. Return to a candlelight dinner on the houseboat deck.
Day 2 — Mughal Gardens & Old City
Morning visit to the Mughal Gardens — Shalimar Bagh (Garden of Love) and Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure). In spring the gardens blaze with tulips; in summer they are a cool green sanctuary. Afternoon: lose yourselves in the lanes of Srinagar's Old City. Find a Pashmina shawl together. Buy saffron from a merchant who will insist it is the finest in the world (it probably is).
Day 3 — Drive to Gulmarg: The Gondola & Mountain Meadows
Leave the lake behind and drive into the mountains. Gulmarg in summer is a vast meadow of wildflowers at 2,650 metres, ringed by snow-peaked mountains. Take the Gondola together to Apharwat Peak (3,980m) for views that stretch across the entire Kashmir Valley. In the afternoon, walk through the meadows — these are the exact scenes that inspired Bollywood's most iconic romantic songs.
Days 4 & 5 — Pahalgam: Kashmir's Most Romantic Valley
Drive to Pahalgam, the Valley of Shepherds. On Day 4, visit Betaab Valley — named after the film that defined a generation of Indian romance, this emerald valley of forests and streams is unforgettable. On Day 5, ride ponies to Baisaran — a vast pine-ringed meadow that locals call 'Mini Switzerland.' Baisaran at golden hour, with snow-peaks glowing pink above the green meadows, is one of those views you will describe to your grandchildren.
Day 6 — Sonmarg: Glacier & Mountain Magic
Day trip to Sonmarg — an hour's drive that rewards every kilometre. The Thajiwas Glacier is accessible to everyone on foot or by pony. Play in the snow together, take photographs that will last a lifetime, and breathe air that tastes like pure cold water.
Day 7 — Return to Srinagar & Farewell
Return to Srinagar for your last morning in Kashmir. Stop at Boulevard Road craft emporiums for Kashmiri keepsakes — a papier-mâché jewellery box, a walnut-carved photo frame, a small carpet for your new home. Transfer to the airport and fly home, changed forever by the most beautiful place you have ever seen together.
Our Top Romantic Tips for Kashmir
Book a deluxe or suite houseboat — the extra cost is absolutely worth it for a honeymoon. Request room decoration and welcome flowers when booking. The candlelight Shikara dinner at dusk is non-negotiable. Always travel with a reputable registered agency. April–June and September–October are the best romantic months. Pack warm clothes even for June — mountain nights are cold.